The Transfer Tavern

Crystal Palace must go all out for Loftus-Cheek in January after Sarri’s latest comments

In Jordan Ayew and Max Meyer, in particular, Crystal Palace made some very shrewd acquisitions in the summer.

And, after a successful loan spell at Selhurst Park last season, manager Roy Hodgson had also hoped to have had Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek in his squad again.

However, the Blues opted against sending the 22-year-old back to Crystal Palace or anywhere else, although that stance could change in January.

The Breakdown

Speaking on Loftus-Cheek’s future ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Newcastle on Sunday, head coach Maurizio Sarri said (via Telegraph): “I have spoken with him twice this week after I spoke with the club.

“So I think that Loftus will remain with us. We can speak again about his situation, but I think only in December (before the January transfer window).”

With Sarri giving £16.2m-rated (via Transfermarkt) Loftus-Cheek no guarantees, it is clear that the midfielder could be available at the start of the new year. And, if that does turn out to be the case, then Crystal Palace must put themselves at the front of the queue for his signature.

Despite suffering with a serious back problem and having missed chunks of Crystal Palace’s last campaign, Loftus-Cheek still managed to make a significant impact at Selhurst Park and impressed both Hodgson and supporters.

The England international often played out wide for the Eagles and, while he was able to influence games from there, the attributes possessed by the Chelsea man makes him ideal for a role in the middle of the park or slightly further.

Furthermore, should Loftus-Cheek become frustrated with his current predicament at Chelsea, then Crystal Palace should do everything in their power to lure him back to Selhurst Park once the transfer window reopens.